Prompt: Bodyguard

Notes: Prequel to the previous prompt.

The wind was chilling but the atmosphere held a fair warmth to it against thin, dark robes. It marked the official birth of spring time. The weather was enjoyable, it could even be the perfect time for a wedding. Sasuke's mouth twitched at the bitter thought.

He stealthily made his way passed the shrubbery and towards a familiar room. The Uchiha knew that the most efficient way into the heiress's bedroom was through the window, which would, if his company was wanted, be opened to a barely noticeable degree to serve as his welcome. It was, much to the satisfaction of Sasuke, always opened when he would visit.

Rather, it was ordinarily left open. For the longest time, in his history of being hired as protection for Hinata, he couldn't really remember a time when the crack of her unlocked window hadn't invited him – even through their disputes, there was always mutual apology when that window was open and he would climb through.

That is why, of all nights, Sasuke wondered why she had to choose this particular night to want to be alone. It wasn't odd, just unexpected – unwanted. A sick feeling worked its way into his gut where it coiled tightly and a sudden heat flourished in his blood. This feeling was all too familiar, as it had been festering inside of him for a few months. The time period didn't make it easier to quell, only easier to mask.

He tapped the glass once and then paused. Once more, and it was opened to him. He lithely landed on her bedroom floor and when he stood straight he was only faced with her retreating backside.

"Hinata," he called monotonously. Almost instantaneously, young woman stopped a few mere feet away from him, back unnaturally straight (probably more of a result of nerves than the hours she spent learning the art of poise).

"Sasuke-san, I…I didn't expect you tonight." her voice shook and she didn't face him when she spoke. He could hear the lie in her every word. He thought maybe she did not want to see him, but had that been true then she would have ignored his presence completely. So then she must have been conflicted, and it most probably had everything to do with their relationship. The thought was agitating, but he brushed it aside. Regardless of her reasoning, she'd opened for him.

"Hn," Sasuke was striding over to her with quick, large steps. "Why not?"

"Because-" she paused and he waited for an answer she fumbled to give. Hinata wore her hair up allowing him to see the length of her smooth neck. Fixated on the visible skin, he wrapped his arms her waist. Hinata didn't allow herself to relax against him.

"I expected you to be bawling your eyes out,"

"Ah, if you'd tapped on my window earlier you wouldn't have been disappointed…"

"Hn." He pulled her flush against him then, his hands moving to grip the curve of her hips.

"It's the eve of my wedding," she attempted sounding sombre, even slightly scolding, but it came out as huffy instead. She inwardly berated herself, and then attempted speaking again in a more dignified manner. "I am not your bride. You shouldn't hold me like that."

The heat in his veins flared again and he began to nip below her jaw. His heiress gasped almost inaudibly, but he heard and began kissing the offended flesh. The thought of another man with her exclusively when he could never be was vexing – bordering on sickening.

"M-maybe you should stop addressing me so familiarly, even privately," the stammer in her voice made him pause as he sucked at her neck, but the falter barely lasted and his hold of her tightened slightly when she hinted at moving away.

He only ever addressed her name with a standard 'san' following the weeks after they'd met. The idea of doing it when he was with her after years didn't leave a comforting taste on his tongue. They were infinitely more than a bodyguard and a client, and he wouldn't sacrifice all that they were behind closed doors for any man that would attempt to take what should be his place.

He gently squeezed a breast as he licked at her pulse and she held back an audible response but shivered nonetheless. She was still doubtlessly his, even when they exited the shadows and practiced a professional relationship.

"Alright, Hinata-san." He mocked lightly, then began to tug at her obi.

"You aren't taking me seriously," Hinata complained. Smaller hands interrupted his disrobing of her as she took a step away. This time, he let her. "But, please…stop making this so hard."

Sasuke's eyes widened. What, he wanted to ask, am I making so hard? But he already knew, and he had no time to swallow it, or process it, or even blink before it was over. He thought about arguing with her: She was stupid, sacrificing her own happiness, giving up. And what of him?

"Heh…" he scoffed. It would be easier, but only for her. He would have to watch her marry and start a family with somebody else. He wouldn't. "I won't stay."

That made Hinata whip around, "You-you won't…stay?" He noticed the receding redness of her cheeks and swelling of her eyes. She'd indeed been crying. He was at a loss, and didn't know what to do with himself, though he was tempted to catch her arm and pull her toward him. He didn't.

He could hold her, and for a second, almost everything would be okay. She wouldn't be about to marry another man, she wouldn't be going away to live with her husband. They would be fine.

But the reality of the situation dawned on him too quickly for even that. They were not a thing to each other but bodyguard and heiress after that night. Everything beneath the surface wouldn't mean a thing after the night faded and he would sneak out of her bedroom and her window would be locked to him forever afterward.

In all honestly he hadn't expected that she would be the first to say goodbye. The sudden naiveté of the belief that they would still be together even after she married sent a hot surge through his stomach that made him feel sick, and inwardly he kicked himself. Without looking at her face he turned on his heel and began toward the window.

"Wait, please, Sasuke-san," Hinata's voice was soft, but earnest enough to make him stop just short of the window sill.

"For what?" He asked, more harshly than he intended.

She faltered, began stumbling over her words before she paused and sighed, defeated.

He gripped the edge of the wall, deliberating his next words.

"L-let's leave." All the consequences rushed through his head like lightning as she said it. He wasn't prepared and had to pause and stare into her honest, pale eyes. Her pretty eyes had been blemished with a Hyuuga's sternness, but her nerves were clear when she swallowed a bit too loud or loosened her frown only to furrow her brows again.

"What?"

Hinata took small and soft footsteps toward him, looking up at him with determined eyes and gently brushed her finger over his knuckles and whispered, "Let's go away,"

He grabbed her wrist and scanned her face, once more finding only honesty. He squeezed the tinier wrist in his hand and she winced slightly, but otherwise smiled ever so slightly.

"Let's go."